The Safe Zone Symbol

The rainbow triangle is a combination of two symbols of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBTQ) pride: the pink triangle and the rainbow.

The inverted pink triangle was a Nazi symbol used to identify homosexuals in the concentration camps during the holocaust of World War II. The icon has been reclaimed by many in the gay rights movement as a symbol of empowerment and, by some, a symbol of remembrance to the suffering of others during a tragic time in history.

The rainbow flag was inspired by the Flag of the Races which had five stripes, each one representing the colors of human kind. The six colors of the rainbow stand as a symbol of pride, diversity and unity of the LGBTQ community: red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sun, green for nature, blue for harmony and purple for spirit.

The Safe Zone symbol is a message to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer members of the Saint Louis University community and their allies that you are knowledgeable, supportive and trustworthy regarding LGBTQ issues.

Students, faculty and staff will know that they can come to you for help, advice or just to talk with someone sensitive to and understanding of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The symbol also means that you will not tolerate homophobic or heterosexist comments, ignorance, discrimination, bigotry or harassment but that they will be addressed in an educational and informative manner. Everybody has a right to their opinions, however you should accurately inform and educate the misinformed with respect and reverence.